Women's Rugby

The Women's Rugby Team is a member of National Collegiate Rugby and participates in the Alegheny Rugby Union. Teams compete in the D1, D2, and Small School pathways, along with sending teams to regional playoffs and all star events.  Fairmont State is proud to have 2 NSCRO (National Small College Rugby Organization All-Americans:  Stephanie Lambert 2017 and Cedar Sands 2020. After the Fall 2021 season, Morgan Southern and Emma Paugh were both selected to participate in the Women's 7's National Cup which was held in Houston, Texas in January 2022. 

The players chosen to participate were selected either through a tryout or through film, and were coached by Hannah Henry - women's rugby coach at Kent State University.  The team consisted of all-star players from Allegheny Rugby Union and the team played against teams from all over the country.

Minimum requirements to participate: Currently enrolled in Fairmont State University for at least 6 credit hours, 2.0 or greater overall GPA, must have personal health insurance.

The Fairmont State University Women’s Rugby team had a very successful Fall 2021 season. The team earned a regular season record of 8-3, finishing second overall in regular season play. Due to injuries and illness, the team only had 9 players to fill the team during the championship tournament held at Robert Morris University. The team placed 2^nd, losing only to Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

With COVID interference, the team had been inactive for almost a year and a half. For this season, we focused on rebuilding the team and gaining experience. This season’s team consisted of 7 returning players and 7 new players, who had no previous background experience with rugby. Weightlifting and conditioning were an important part of the team’s training because it developed the cardio and strength needed to play rugby. With the help from our volunteer coaches, Raymond Bezjak and Larry Deese, players developed their skills, gained new abilities, and strengthened their knowledge about the game.

Even with the team being relatively new, every single player had the skills and abilities needed for the team’s success. Sarah Post was our top scorer for the season with 11 tries, and Hannah Bonham was our top defensive player with 42 tackles. Game footage can be viewed, courtesy of Larry Deese, on Youtube @Larry Rugby.

We are still looking to recruit new players to join our team for our Spring 2022 season. The team’s goal is to win the spring championship tournament and compete in the National Championship. Contact Tina Mascaro or Rugby President Sarah Post if interested.